The Deputy of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe says Zimbabwe presents a developing market for a wide range of South African goods and services such as retail, food and beverages, construction, agro-processing, chemicals, mining, banking, medical services and hotels.
Deputy Minister Thabethe was speaking at the official opening of the South African stand at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, yesterday. Thabethe is leading more than thirty South African companies that are exhibiting at the fair, which runs until Saturday, under the theme “Investing Locally, Reaping Globally”.
“South Africa is strategically placed to do business with Zimbabwe in these sectors. I’m urging South African businesses to take advantage of the opportunities available in these sectors and invest in them as this will contribute to the growth of the Zimbabwean economy,” said Thabethe.
Thabethe complimented Zimbabwe for launching the industrial and trade policies recently, adding that these would facilitate and guide the country’s economic growth.
The South Africa’s economy is inextricably linked to those of other African countries and we have a strong interest in promoting higher levels of industrialisation and regional economic integration on the continent,” said Thabethe.
She announced that there was a number of key activities that the Department of Trade and Industry was planning in order to further strengthen our economic relation over the next few years, including embarking on fact finding visits to other key regions, provinces and cities in Zimbabwe to promote proudly South African products and technology, identify potential market for products that are not being targeted or marketed by South African companies as yet, as well as to identify investment projects for SA companies,” said Thabethe.
Speaking at the same event, the South African Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Vusi Mavimbela, said the presence of regional and international exhibitors was evidence that Zimbabwe was a good investment destination.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe - Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
